GORV - Digital Magazine Issue #13 | Page 37

RV FEATURE
This invention allowed Cub to expand its market to cater for the booming grey nomad sector . Roger also invented the deep-sided Spacevan , now known as the Longreach .

EXPORT OR BUST

The business has experienced the ups and downs of several recessions . Roger says the toughest period was the 1980s when there was a serious downturn in the caravan and camping market . At the end of the ’ 70s there were about 35,000 RV units being produced in Australia ; that figure plummeted to 6000 by the end of the ’ 80s . To avoid going bust , Cub entered the export market . It was a risky move that paid off . At a time when Crocodile
Dundee was dominating the box office , the Americans couldn ’ t get enough of ‘ Aussie made ’. The United States , it seems , loved Cub ’ s campers .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

Roger , now retired , has handed the business over to his three adult children . His son Shane , Cub ’ s managing director , began as a factory worker at Cub more than 15 years ago . “ I remember Dad just walked me into the factory , showed
me the saw for cutting steel and said ‘ you ’ ll work it out ’. There was no favouritism . I just had to join the production line and learn ,” Shane said . Cub ’ s 2018 range now includes seven models in three different sizes to cater for the varying needs of couples and families .
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